Magnetoencephalography in Psychosis Program

Launched by DOUGLAS MENTAL HEALTH UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE · May 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Schizophrenia is a common and severe mental illness affecting millions of people worldwide. With a lifetime prevalence of about 1%, it is estimated to generate annual costs of $10 billion in Canada alone, with cognitive and functional impairments as major contributors. One of the main and most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia is related to the disorganization and impoverishment of speech, also known as Formal Thought Disorder (FTD). The presence of linguistic disorganization and impoverishment seen in FTD is recognized as an early marker of disease; it can be present in otherwise heal...

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• 1. Patients:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia as per DSM-5 criteria.
• • Aged between 18 and 50 years.
• • In a stable phase of the illness (no change in Global Functioning \> 10 units within 1 month before the MEG scan assessed using the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to speak English or French.
• • History of head trauma, major neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy), somatic disorders with neurological complaints (e.g., multiple sclerosis), or intellectual disabilities.
• • Diagnosis of substance use disorder (current or within the last year) as per DSM-5.
• • Unsuitable for MRI due to safety concerns (e.g., metal in the body, pregnancy, tinnitus).
• • 2. Healthy Controls
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50 years.
• • Matched to patients for age (within 2 years), sex, and parental occupational status (rated by NS-SEC).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to speak English or French.
• • History of head trauma, major neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy), somatic disorders with neurological complaints (e.g., multiple sclerosis), or intellectual disabilities.
• • Diagnosis of substance use disorder (current or within the last year) as per DSM-5.
• • Personal or family history of psychotic disorder.
• • Unsuitable for MRI due to safety concerns (e.g., metal in the body, pregnancy, tinnitus).